I have a problem I need a bit of help with. I want to try a witch hunter but I always end up putting melee into the builds I come up with. I always disliked having minions attack my enemies unless I am a mage. I have a few ideas for skills but need help on the build itself:

Archery: The primary damage tool, it is important. No crit on it though.

Alteration: Need protection, just in case I get into trouble.

Sneak: Obvious.

unsure of:

conjuration: Why? If I am a sneaky jerk, why would I need allies? and why waste magicka on Bound weapons when the normal ones are just as good?

Restoration: Healing? The first spell does well with potions and sneak should protect me much better than healing.

Alchemy and enchanting: Seems odd to me.

The idea is I wanted to build a character that was good in a fight with mages while having some support magic/anti-mage defenses. any help would be appreciated.

I think Alchemy/Enchanting make sense, to craft potions/gear to help against mages. Either in the form of defence, with magic resistance. Or as offence, with poisons and damage buffs.

Thanks for the reply, and the advice. Though I Still have that problem of putting points into one handed for the damage boost, even if I do not use it.

Here's one I've been wanting to try, courtesy of the Skyrim Blog. No melee:

http://theskyrimblog.ning.com/group/character-building/forum/topics/character-build-the-witchhunter

I like the build. I always had two problems with it though. One is the summons, which just really get in the way. The other is that it uses both crossbows and bows. it just seem mega redundant to use them both when the bows are just better to use.

well i feel a crossbow is much more fitting for a witch-hunter, not sure why... I just do.

anyway, if you're having trouble with fighting mages, then inves tlightly in restoration. Have some equipment that lowers the cost of restoration spell and have a ward spell as a hot-key. therefore when a mage blasts a fire ball or something, hot key to your ward - block it - hot key back to your bow.

as for melee, increase your blocking skill. Though most of its useless for your class, the perk for "bashing" also add damage to the "bashing" you do with your bows/crossbow. Also, keep investing into alteration, and eventually when you get the paralysis spells you can use those to keep your enemies at bay while depleting their health with your range. Maybe you could also you the restoration spells that send the undead running to get some shots in their back while they're running.

just some ideas

No worries. I don't see why you couldn't use just regular bows if you prefer. Even the author of the build debated on this issue. I would definitely do alchemy for the reasons srk said, poisons and damage buffs.

I think the Lord stone would be a good choice, until you reach your mage armor and magic resistance perks.